Living with a children's author isn't as easy as it looks!

If you know me, you know I’m afraid of lots of things – golf carts, ladders, airplanes, soccer players, election signs, solar panels, and balloons to name a few…. Today’s 5 words are about FEAR.

1. Vocabulary – You should never be afraid of words. Mom is using a ton of new vocabulary in her Lyrical Language Lab. Words like: iamb, meter, dactyl, trochee, and anapest (anaPEST! That’s my name sometimes.)…

The words scared Mom at first, but when she learned about them, they helped her. I know a lot of words, too. Mostly: treat, dinner, park, out, ice cream, and naughty.

2. Fixing up – Mom fixes me up with the Fur-min-a-tor brush. When I’m afraid of the brush, I run around in circles until Mom is too dizzy to un-fur me. Mom works a lot on fixing up her stories after she writes them. She says, “Too long.” and “Too boring.” and “OMG! Where does all this hair come from??”

Blah. Blah. Blah. Where’s my treat?

3. Ticking – Mom uses a timer to help me wait for my dinner. She soaks my food in water for a half hour because I don’t like to chew. The clock ticks the whole time, and when it rings, my kibbles are soft enough to eat. The timer is TERRIFYING!

I won’t stay in the room alone with it, so as soon as it’s set, I get next to Mom and follow her like a shadow. The clock is also ticking for Mom to finish her August 12×12 manuscript. She is studying so much at her 2 summer schools that the story is slowing down. Tick. Tick. Tick. *shiver*

4. Characters – I am always trying to be a character in one of Mom’s stories. A few times I made it, but nobody bought the stories, so I’m afraid you’ll never read about me.

I’m changing my look so Mom will write about me again, after she finishes studying characters at Kidlit Summer School.

5. Hiding – Hiding is a good strategy for when you’re afraid. Always get where nobody will see you and stay still.

I’ll be fine here. I’m pretty sure I’m invisible….

Mom can’t hide her summer school work. Both of her teachers say, “Now put your homework on the Facebook page.” Mom says, “I hope this is right.” and “I can’t wait to see what my classmates did.” and “Where are you?”

Comments on: "Five Word Friday" (72)

Funny you are afraid of the ticking sound, it means food is coming, should mean a good thing.
Those dresses kill me!
You need to convince your mom to write a graphic novel, illustrated with pictures of you wearing those nice costumes.

Hi Cupcake! First of all may I say I love your yellow dress and bunny ears……how could your Mom resist putting you in another story? Just be sure you aren’t invisible – stay visible until she says “You’re the star of the story Cupcake!”……..I’m afraid of some stuff too so don’t feel bad about that. We are brave in our minds but not always in reality – weird noises, people, smells, things – sometimes it’s just too much! I guess that’s when “invisible” comes in handy! Have a Happy Monday……

Cupcake I have to tell you, I get the afraids too. I think your yellow and purple dress might be my favorite dress. I think you have a good hidey spot there because I am thinking some FOOD could easily land there!

Cute post! Liked how you combined the topic of fear with Cupcake and writing. Funny, Archie won’t chew dog food either — he just swallows it whole. He doesn’t like it wet. But, he loves to chew on rawhide bones. I remember when I read “The Life of Pi” I learned a lot of interesting information about animal behavior by the zoo keepers. For example, if an Ostrich stands in one area every day, then one day moves, it’s a signal that the Ostrich is disturbed by something or ill. Have used the knowledged with Archie and have learned some interesting things about his behavior. He has a favorite place to lay on the top of a couch where he can observe everything. One day my husband layed his jacket in a corner of the top of the couch, Archie wouldn’t go near the couch. I recognized immediately he was upset and moved the jackets to a chair – up Arche jumped. My husband recently edged around the back porch pavers, which left a gap, and Archie won’t step over it. He goes to the side where the bushes are. Animals like routine and don’t like change. If you have that book, it’s in the early chapters of the book and you might find it interesting. 🙂

Mom thinks inside my head is a dangerous and foreign place. I don’t even think the Life of Pi would want to go there. I love Archie! He is a creature of habit like me. And also a food gobbler. Maybe he needs a slow feeder bowl like I have…. Mom got it for me so I wouldn’t vomit every single day.

We have a furminator… among other brushing devices… none of which really seem to do the job because there is dog hair EVERYWHERE in this house! But dog hair aside, you are very wise, Cupcake, and brave 🙂 and it sounds like your mom is doing very well at her writing! 🙂

Thanks, S. I’m sorry your babies also have to be Furminated. It’s a tough life. Mom is pretty sure that she has too many black clothes to have a white dog. She’s thinking about buying stock in the Swiffer Sweeper. Maybe you should, too….

Boy, that’s a lot of stuff to think about Cupcake. Timers for dinner?! That’s just not right. My Electra, Dogzilla, pup has reached the fearful age and has become a laugh a minute. She thinks sticks and rocks on the path are aliens. She just keeps me in stitches. i guess maybe she’s good for something after all. I think your mom should write a story about being afraid. Like that Scaredy Squirrel. You could be famous! Oh, I guess you already are!

You are totally rocking your yellow dress and bunny ears Cupcake. Goodness, your mom is going to need a holiday when she is down with all her Summer School classes! Keep an eye on that timer…they can be tricksy. And just between you and us, our dad hates the timer on our oven too, it always gives him a fright when mom uses it *BOL*.
Wally & Sammy

Oh, Cupcake, I’m afraid of golf carts too. My humans never knew that until some bad little neighborhood boys raced past me in a golf court while we were out on what should have been a relaxing walk. Mommy was tempted to use some questionable vocabulary (she didn’t). I just wanted to hide!

You, too!!? What is it about golf carts, Miss HL? They’re demons. The workers use them to ride around our apartment complex fixing things and checking things. They pretend to water the flowers, but I know they’re trying to kill me.

Hi Cupcake! You are rocking the yellow dress my friend! Focusing on the phobias poor sweetie? I know you can be brave though too! The under the table invisible is one of Anne’s favorites, but I like your sheet hideout better.
Marty

Thanks, RM. I have never actually seen a real, live bunny. Just my stuffed one (and myself in the mirror with my bunny ears on), but I think I would like to mingle with them, as long as they don’t try to kill me.

What a delight you are Cupcake and your hiding place is similar to mine when the big thunder booms come and rattle the house. I go under the dining table! The thunders and light stuffs can’t see me and I am safe, Of course my mom is in the room with me. That helps a lot. xox

Thanks, QB. I usually just fall asleep on Mom’s iPad and then I type QQQQQQQQ with my ear. That’s why she helps me, sometimes. Apparently people don’t want to read QQQQQQQ or sncgrbsjxkfirbd. Go figure. I think Mom is a control freak.